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UK consumer rights: 67 questions answered
Every question from our guides in one place. Each link takes you to the answer, with its official sources.
Faulty goods
The 30-day right to reject faulty goods
- Can a shop refuse a refund within 30 days if the item is faulty?
- Do I need the receipt to get a refund?
- Does the 30-day right apply to things bought online?
- Who pays to send faulty goods back?
Faulty goods after 30 days: repair or replacement
- Can the seller insist on a repair when I want a replacement?
- How many repair attempts do I have to allow?
- Can the shop tell me to contact the manufacturer?
- Who pays for postage or collection?
The final right to reject, and faults after six months
- My item broke after 8 months. Do I have any rights?
- Can the seller take money off my refund?
- Do I need an expert report?
- How long should goods last?
What "satisfactory quality" means
- Does satisfactory quality apply to sale items?
- Is a small scratch or blemish a fault?
- Does it apply to second-hand goods from a shop?
- Does satisfactory quality include how long something lasts?
Warranties and guarantees vs your statutory rights
- Do my rights end when my 1-year warranty ends?
- Can a shop tell me to contact the manufacturer instead?
- Does a "no refunds" sign affect my rights?
- Do I have to buy an extended warranty?
Your rights when a service goes wrong
- Can I refuse to pay for bad work?
- The work is taking far too long. What can I do?
- Do these rights apply to builders and tradespeople?
- What if the trader said something about the job that turned out to be untrue?
Changing your mind: online returns and the 14-day cancellation right
- Can I return something I bought in a shop because I changed my mind?
- Who pays to send an online order back?
- Can a seller refuse a return because I opened the box?
- Does the 14-day right apply to marketplace purchases from private sellers?
Buying
Used goods and used cars bought from a dealer
- Does the 30-day right to reject apply to used cars?
- Can a dealer deduct money for miles driven?
- I bought my car on hire purchase. Who do I complain to?
- Does "sold as seen" remove my rights when buying from a dealer?
Buying from a private seller
- Do I have a 30-day right to reject when buying privately?
- What can I do if a private seller misdescribed the item?
- How can I tell if a seller is really a trader?
- I bought a car privately and it still has finance on it. Am I protected?
Payment protection
Section 75 credit card protection
- Does Section 75 cover debit card payments?
- I only paid the deposit on my credit card. Am I covered?
- Does Section 75 apply if I paid through PayPal?
- What if my card provider rejects my Section 75 claim?
Chargeback: getting a card payment reversed
- Can I use chargeback on a credit card?
- Is there a minimum amount for chargeback?
- Does chargeback work for bank transfers?
- I paid my Buy Now Pay Later instalments by card. Can I use chargeback?
Buy Now Pay Later: your protections since 15 July 2026
- Does Section 75 apply to Buy Now Pay Later now?
- My Buy Now Pay Later purchase was before 15 July 2026. Am I protected?
- Is Buy Now Pay Later offered by the shop itself covered?
- Can I complain to the Financial Ombudsman about Buy Now Pay Later?
Paid by cash or bank transfer: what protection do you have?
- Can I get my money back if I paid in cash?
- Is there any chargeback for bank transfers?
- What if a company I paid by bank transfer has gone bust?
By nation
Consumer rights in England and Wales: time limits, small claims and help
- How long do I have to bring a consumer claim in England and Wales?
- What is the small claims limit in England and Wales?
- Do I need a solicitor for the small claims track?
- Who do I call for free consumer advice in England and Wales?
Consumer rights in Scotland: time limits, simple procedure and help
- How long do I have to bring a consumer claim in Scotland?
- Why is Scotland's time limit different?
- What is the small claims limit in Scotland?
- Who do I contact for free consumer advice in Scotland?
Consumer rights in Northern Ireland: time limits, small claims and help
- How long do I have to bring a consumer claim in Northern Ireland?
- What is the small claims limit in Northern Ireland?
- Do I need a solicitor for a small claim in Northern Ireland?
- Who do I contact for free consumer advice in Northern Ireland?
Escalating a complaint
What to do if the seller will not sort it out
- How long should I give the seller to respond?
- Do I have to use ADR before going to court?
- Can I complain to Trading Standards?
- Is going to the small claims court expensive?
Check your own situation
The Be Consumer Wise app walks you through what you bought, how you paid and what went wrong, shows the right helpline for your part of the UK, and lets you ask ConsumerBot follow-up questions.
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